What does a dilapidated gay bar on Manhattan's Christopher Street have in common with a 15th Century church on Germany's Elbe River? Maybe nothing, maybe everything. Only time and history will tell.
Likely no one could have - or would have dared - predicted that in the early 21st Century homosexuality would become a tipping point initiating a Second Protestant Reformation. Surely the Stonewall bar patrons who rioted on that late June night in 1969 never envisioned that their protest would one day be compared to Martin Luther's protest at Wittenberg's Castle Church in 1517. To say the least, most will find this to be an outrageous and almost ridiculous analogy, but the fact is that homosexuality, a radical and exceedingly uncomfortable issue, is likely once again splitting Christianity in two. From an historical perspective, one could cautiously suggest that the second reformation began - albeit unintentionally - at Stonewall.
If you look past the pain, anger, and frustration of the relentless assault by so-called Christian fundamentalists on the dignity and rights of gay men and women, you can easily discern an emerging phenomenon of historical proportions as many Christians find themselves compelled to take a stand against bigotry and hate mongering.
I would contend we are already irrevocably engaged in an epic struggle that will go down in the history books as the Second Protestant Reformation.
Ironically, the first Protestant Reformation hinged on very similar issues that now seem bundled into the homosexual question and are driving this Second Protestant Reformation, in particular the interpretation of scripture and the nature of sin as it relates to human sexuality. How ironic that one of the driving issues of the first Protestant Reformation was also marriage, the right of the clergy to wed, and the right of a king to divorce and marry again and again and again.
Many of you will be appalled or at least skeptical that one might see the battle for gay rights on a scale as historically significant as the impact of Martin Luther and Henry Tudor. It may seem an audacious and arrogant claim, but the insistence by Evangelicals, the Catholic clergy, and others to impose their antiquated religious beliefs on matters concerning secular constitutional law has forced those who would rather separate their spiritual and political lives into a global conflict.
Consider the issues and advances that fueled the 16th Century Protestant Reformation. They have an all too familiar ring: Individual rights, separation of church and state, the emergence of mass media (the printing press,) education, secularism, and humanism. While there are certainly some 16th Century issues that are not analogous to the 21st Century, I would argue there are many more similarities than not.
Article comments
1 - Sam
Hi, I truly agree that this will be a reformation type event. The fact that social justice and equality should be modeled by the church and not fought has been blurred. The truth of scripture must be re-revealed as Luther did. The church has once again detoured into regulation and organization. My hope is that society can come together and unite in this endeavor as much as possible.
2 - Baronius
I see the analogy. Luther didn't set out to destroy his society; he lacked the foresight to understand the consequences of his actions. But he is responsible for the damage he did, because he knew he was being disobedient. He was only concerned with soothing his feelings of guilt. His pride ruined the lives of generations.
3 - D'oh
"destroy his society" - complete bunch of shit.
No one is talking about destroying anything, just that a portion of human beings be accepted and recognized as having the same rights as the rest of us.
Why is this even a problem?
Now, people from some persuasions try and drag otu excerpted portions of Leviticus to try and justify themselves and the bigotry that ensues.
But do those same folks know the rest of the "abominations" listed in Leviticus? Shellfish, wearing more than a single type of clothing material and a huge heap of other silliness is there, and ignored.
Try
this bit out anytime anyone tries to give you biblical shit from Leviticus.
Oh yes, and being "disobedient" is how the vast majority of human progress has occurred. Especially when it comes to the imposed stagnation that the Church has habitually advocated, you know, like why they called them the "Dark Ages"
4 - god
hey i completely disagree with u.one reason for protestant revolution was rampant homosexuality among celibate priests.gods wrath will come on you as WW3 false christians unless u repent!visit christstar.blogspot.com
5 - Christstar
Homosexuality is sin just as idolatary is sin.There are sins of varying levels.Jesus says sins against holyspirit will never be forgiven.These are high level sins.Also remember if ur sins are not forgiven u will rot in hell fire for all eternity.May the spirit open ur eyes.
6 - Christstar
Vatican created comunism but movment went out of their hand and is now destroying western society in the form of feminism,gay marriages.